Nottingham Forest are targeting Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Forest made contact this week to check on Maitland-Niles availability and have made him a transfer priority this summer. Newly-promoted Forest are keen to strengthen their squad for the Premier League next season and see Maitland-Niles as a perfect addition.
Maitland-Niles, 24, has one year left on his current deal at the Emirates and is keen to get regular game time as it looks like Arsenal will be ready to sell. Forest boss Steve Cooper knows Maitland-Niles well from his time with the Football Association and coaching through the England age groups.
Maitland-Niles played at all the England are groups from under-17s all the way to seniors and was part of the under-20s World Cup winning squad in 2017.
Cooper is a hugely respected coach, champions young players and led England under-17s to the World Cup in 2017.
Forest are keen to bolster their squad, spend some cash this summer to try and make a real fight next season which is why Maitland-Niles would be such a strong addition.
Maitland-Niles has just spent the second half of the season on loan at Roma and went to Italy to try and get more regular game time after limited chances at Arsenal.
Now he may get a fresh start this summer with Forest likely to be one of several clubs looking at the versatile England international.
Maitland-Niles has played at full back, wing back and in midfield and now looks set to return to English football this summer.
Everton tried to get him last year, Southampton and Leicester have also been keen in the past and now Forest are keen. With the transfer window opening today, clubs are now looking to make progress but may have to wait until players return from holidays to hold talks.
